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Plaza Mayor Tours

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Today this central square is a popular meeting place for tourists and locals, but Plaza Mayor’s history goes back to the early 17th century during King Felipe III's reign. The central statue is a nod to the king’s role in overseeing the project's completion. Forming the outer walls are a series of 3-story buildings with balconies overlooking the center.

The Basics

Plaza Mayor has played host to a variety of festivities throughout history, including bull fights, executions during the Spanish Inquisition, and soccer matches. The most prominent of the buildings in the plaza is the Casa de la Panadería, or House of the Baker's Guild, which today serves municipal and cultural functions. There are also shops and eateries that occupy the ground level and provide refreshments for hungry and thirsty travelers admiring the square. The plaza is included on most Madrid city tours—including walking tours, biking tours, Segway tours, and food tours—alongside other popular attractions such as the Prado Museum, Royal Palace, Plaza de Oriente, and Plaza de España.

Things to Know Before You Go

The Plaza Mayor is a major landmark in Madrid and a must-see for first-time visitors.

Visit the plaza as part of a small group or private city tour for a deeper understanding of its history.

When exploring the area, remember to wear comfortable walking shoes.

How to Get There

The easiest way to get to Plaza Mayor on your own is to take the metro (Line 2) to Sol station.

When to Get There

While Plaza Mayor can get crowded, especially during peak summer season, the festive atmosphere is part of its appeal. The plaza is an excellent place to stop for a coffee or a drink in the afternoon, or for an al fresco dinner in the evening.

The Calamari Sandwich

Both Madrid and the restaurants surrounding Plaza Mayor are famous for calamari sandwiches: French bread stuffed with battered and golden-fried squid rings, often served with aioli and a wedge of lemon. Try it with “una caña” a small, ice-cold draft beer.

A hop-on hop-off Madrid sightseeing tour by open-top double-decker bus is the perfect introduction to this incredible city. Select a 1- or 2-day ticket that lets you board and disembark at any of the stops along two interconnecting routes, so you can explore city sights at your own pace. Hear onboard audio commentary and check out Madrid’s many plazas, museums, and theaters with the provided map and guidebook.

Discover Madrid’s vibrant culinary scene on a delicious tapas tour. Stroll through the evening-lit streets with a guide and sample delicious tapas dishes at popular restaurants while learning about the local ingredients. Treat your palette to delicious Spanish wines complemented by items like Iberian ham, salted cod, rich chickpea stew and more. To keep this experience intimate, group size is limited to 12 people.

Treat your taste buds to this 3.5-hour walking tapas tour of Madrid! Gain insight into the cherished Spanish culinary tradition from your local guide as you visit four or five eateries around the city on a lunch or dinner tour. Sample authentic tapas like Iberian ham, locally produced cheeses and paella, accompanied by regional wine or beer at each stop. All tapas and drinks are included, so be sure to bring your walking shoes and your appetite!

Admire the spectacular sights of Spain’s vibrant capital on a bicycle tour of Madrid. With a knowledgeable guide, cycle at a leisurely pace to important monuments like Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace of Madrid. Stop intermittently to listen to illuminating commentary from your expert guide, and to capture photographs of Madrid’s historical and architectural highlights. All safety equipment is included on this tour.

Experience the unique flavor and culture of the Spanish capital on a history and tapas walking tour in Madrid, including dinner. Stroll through the atmospheric streets of the old city center while your guide illuminates the many-layered history of sights like Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace. Along the way, stop at several authentic tapas bars, to feast like a local on an array of traditional appetizer-sized dishes paired with Spanish wine, sangria, and typical liquors.

One of the darkest and most fascinating chapters in the history of Spain is the Spanish Inquisition, when power centralized under the unified Spanish kingdom. On this walking tour that's perfect for history fans, learn how the brutal tribunals played out in Madrid. Uncover the legends of the Inquisition, its key players, and how torture was used against its victims. By the end of the tour, see Madrid through the lens of history.

Immerse yourself in Madrid's history as you explore the city's most important sites and Royal Palace. Get the story behind the city's architectural history, following its evolution from "Moorish Madrid" into the Habsburg and Bourbon periods. Then skip the long lines and visit the Spanish Royal Palace, seeing the royal collections and admiring its Baroque details. This Madrid sightseeing tour includes all entrance fees

Experience the highlights and hidden gems of the Spanish capital on this private tour. Accompanied by your private guide, visit memorable landmarks such as Plaza Mayor, the Prado Museum, and the Royal Palace; escape the crowds to explore Park Emir Mohamed I and Retiro Park and more. As this is a private tour, you can explore at your own pace and spend as long as you want taking photos.

Madrid is a grand, picturesque city with so much to see that it's easy to miss the top attractions. On this guided walking tour, travelers get outside of the city center and uncover the hidden side of Madrid. See the city's stunning, 20th century architecture, its most literary neighborhood, and the house where Miguel de Cervantes wrote his magnum opus, Don Quixote. Along the way, learn about the history of Madrid and the Bourbon Dynasty.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and intriguing history of Spain’s spectacular capital on a half- or full-day walking tour of Madrid with an accomplished private guide. Inform your guide of your interests prior to your tour then enjoy a customized itinerary that promises to satisfy all cultural cravings. Enjoy complimentary public transport and pre-planned logistics as you discover significant sights such as the Prado Museum and the Royal Palace of Madrid whiles listening to commentary tailored to your interests.

The sun that constantly shines on Madrid can make daytime exploring an exhausting endeavor. This 4-hour evening tour allows you to stay cool and see Madrid’s sights illuminated by night. Tick off highlights such as the Royal Palace (Palacio Real), Plaza Mayor and Gran Via, and receive recommendations for popular nightlife destinations. Small-group tour, limited to 15 people.

Coast through Madrid on a 2-wheeled, self-balancing electric Segway scooter during this 2- or 3-hour tour of the city's highlights and landmarks. On the 2-hour tour, follow your guide through the city center, passing locations important to the capital city's history and culture such as the San Miguel market, the royal palace and Plaza Mayor. Choose the 3-hour tour to add time traveling through the urban park El Retiro and down the Paseo del Prado. Instruction and use of all equipment included; no experience necessary.

Experience the best Madrid has to offer on this combination excursion covering a Real Madrid stadium tour and city sightseeing trip. First, explore the architecture that has shaped this Spanish capital, exploring the city’s Moorish origins along with the key structures of its Habsburg and Bourbon eras. Then, head to the legendary Santiago Bernabeu stadium for a behind-the-scenes visit inside this legendary team’s locker rooms, bench and presidential box. This Madrid combination trip also includes admission for the Bernabeu tour, a guide, and transport by coach.

Get a taste for the top attractions in Madrid on this panoramic tour of the city by coach. Stop by well-known Madrid landmarks like the city's Alcalá Gate, its Palacio Real, and Cybele's Fountain. Along the way, tour historic plazas like Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa, see intriguing neighborhoods like Barrio de la Morería and view the city's grand boulevards, listening as your guide shares details on their history and significance. This tour of Madrid offers both morning and afternoon departure times.

Discover many of Madrid’s attractions and cruise effortlessly around Retiro Park, the city’s green oasis, on this Segway tour. Traveling by electric personal transporter, glide around the park’s beautiful highlights, seeing the lake, Crystal Palace, and monuments including the famous Fallen Angel statue. Plus, take in other landmarks such as cobbled Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. Segway training and a helmet included.

Rather than spend vacation time negotiating cabs and buses, book a private tour of Madrid that gives you the benefit of a guide and the freedom to tailor your sightseeing. Travel by chauffeured private vehicle, and choose to cover must-sees such as the Plaza Mayor and more, as you learn their history. Plus, enjoy skip-the-line entry to your chosen sight—perhaps the Prado, Royal Palace, or another historical highlight.

Beat the crowds with this early-entry admission to Madrid's Royal Palace, an hour before it is open to the public. Take a guided tour of the highlights, then head out into the city and the neighborhoods for a carefully-curated city tour and stops at some local markets to enjoy wine and cheese tastings. End up at a panoramic viewpoint to gaze out over the city's rooftops and take great photos. This tour enables you to see the highlights of the city in just half a day, great for those travelers short on time.

If you have limited time in Madrid, feel confident that you're seeing the city's best on this full-day tour that combines art, history, and authentic Spanish cuisine. Marvel at the treasures of the Royal Palace without the crowds thanks to early access, and skip the line at the Prado Museum to save more time for the masterpieces. In between, visit a historic market for a tapas and wine tasting, stroll down the city's most famous promenade, and soak up the views from an exclusive rooftop terrace.

Ride with a local English Speaking Driver and explore the most iconic monuments of Madrid! Your personal driver will not only share historical facts about the areas visited but also local insights that will help you get the feeling of the city’s lifestyle today.
Explore the neighborhoods and landmarks in Madrid like a local. Experience this spectacular city from the comfort of your very own private air-conditioned car.
As the tour is completely customizable, you can add and take points away from the following suggested itinerary.
Our drivers are not licensed guides but are very knowledgeable of the places visited and will provide all the necessary historical information.
During the stops you can do whatever you want: visit the landmarks, take pictures, ask your driver about the place and get benefit from his local knowledge
Visit, Puerta del Sol, Palacio Real, Calle Gran Via, taste tapas, Wander inside the Retiro Park and many many more!

See Madrid like an insider on this private 4-hour walking tour led by a knowledgeable local guide. The tour can be customized to suit your interests, whether you want to check out the city’s arts scene, see the most famous landmarks, get the inside scoop on the best places to dine or delve into the Spanish capital’s fascinating history. Enjoy the undivided attention of your guide, and recharge like a true Madrileño with a stop for drinks and tapas.

See the influence of centuries of art, culture, architecture, food, and politics on modern-day Madrid on this private, guided tour of the old city. Learn about the people and events that happened here and see iconic sights like the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Almudena Cathedral and more. Smell and sample food in the tapas-filled stalls of the San Miguel market and learn why it’s also called Habsburg, Madrid.

Experience the local culture and vibrant energy of Madrid at night, when the city truly comes alive. On this private, 4-hour tour, set off with a savvy guide during the early evening hours on a tour that can be completely customized to suit your interests. See iconic landmarks illuminated as night falls, and discover tucked-away treasures that only locals know. At the end of the tour, rest your feet and drink in the city’s famous nightlife at an authentic tapas bar.

Discover the best of Spain and Portugal on a 1-week adventure. Visit the cities of Madrid, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Granada, Malaga, Seville, Lisbon, and Toledo during the week. Discover famous monuments such as the Royal Palace, Sagrada Familia, La Rambla, Alhambra, Plaza de Espana, the Alcazar of Seville, the Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower, and much more as you learn about the history and culture of each place.